Revising Your Paper 1. Take a break It is important to come into revision with a fresh pair of eyes. If you look at it just after you have finished the first draft, you will not be able to see it from an outside perspective. 2. Read it aloud When you read aloud, you read more slowly and are more likely to notice the errors. This will also help you to hear how it sounds outside of your own head. 3. Does the paper make sense as a whole? Highlight or circle the thesis of your essay. Is it a clear opinion on a topic. The thesis is the purpose of the entire paper. Each paragraph should be a step to supporting this thesis. The ideas need to be grouped in a logical way that build upon each eachother. 4. What needs to be taken out? All parts of the essay need to support the thesis. Take out anything that doesn't help you to prove your point. Also, look for needless repetition. 5. Where do you need additional support? Look for places where you need additional support. Try to make each part of the essay balanced. 6. Is the stye appropriate? Who is the audience for your essay? You probably need to be using an academic voice which means formal language and tone, 3rd person point of view (no I, me, you, etc), and standard English grammar and usage.
1. Take a break
It is important to come into revision with a fresh pair of eyes. If you look at it just after you have finished the first draft, you will not be able to see it from an outside perspective.
2. Read it aloud
When you read aloud, you read more slowly and are more likely to notice the errors. This will also help you to hear how it sounds outside of your own head.
3. Does the paper make sense as a whole?
Highlight or circle the thesis of your essay. Is it a clear opinion on a topic. The thesis is the purpose of the entire paper. Each paragraph should be a step to supporting this thesis. The ideas need to be grouped in a logical way that build upon each eachother.
4. What needs to be taken out?
All parts of the essay need to support the thesis. Take out anything that doesn't help you to prove your point. Also, look for needless repetition.
5. Where do you need additional support?
Look for places where you need additional support. Try to make each part of the essay balanced.
6. Is the stye appropriate?
Who is the audience for your essay? You probably need to be using an academic voice which means formal language and tone, 3rd person point of view (no I, me, you, etc), and standard English grammar and usage.
Revision overview